Effects of combined exposures of fluoranthene and polyethylene or polyhydroxybutyrate microplastics on oxidative stress biomarkers in the blue mussel ().

A growing interest in developing and commercialization of new eco-friendly plastic polymers is occurring attributed to the impact of marine plastics debris and microplastics that result from the degradation of oil-based polymers as these substances adversely affect ecosystem health. Recently, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has become of interest due to its biodegradability and physicochemical properties. However, biological consequences resulting from bioplastics exposure remain to be determined.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis in patient with celiac disease complicated by cholecystic empyema and acute pancreatitis.

Background: The association of celiac disease and sclerosing cholangitis is a well known, although unusual, pathologic feature of autoimmunity.

Methods: A 64 year old patient presenting with sub-acute cholangitis and pancreatitis, treated with cholecystectomy and endoscopic sphincterotomy. The post-operative course, complicated by cholestatic jaundice, and subsequent clinical complications are described, showing how the diagnosis of sclerosing cholangitis was outlined after the Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) and confirmed by liver biopsy.

Pneumatic dilation and botulinum toxin: when and why?

Pneumatic dilation and botulinum toxin:when and why? The endoscopic treatment options of achalasia include botulinum toxin (BT) injection and pneumatic dilation (PD) of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). BT can reduce the LES pressure by blocking the release of acetylcoline from presynaptic cholinergic nerve terminals in the myenteric plexus. Although the procedure is safe and good initial response is reported, there is a wide variability in the duration of the response and the effect tends to decrease over time.